Porcupine roll for slicing machines



Dec. 31, 1963 H. F. HERTWIG 3,115,917

PORCUPINE ROLL FOR SLICING MACHINES Filed Feb. 8, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

HENRY F. HEW W's ATTORNEY.

Dec. 31, 1963 H. F. HERTWIG PORCUPINE ROLL FOR SLICING MACHINES Filed Feb. 8, 1961 ATTORNEY.

Dec. 31, 1963 H. F. HERTWIG 3,115,917

PORCUPINE ROLL FOR SLICING MACHINES Filed Feb. 8, 1961 s Sheets-Sheet 5 HENRY F. HERTWIG INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

atent fifice 3,115,917 POREUPINE RGLL FUR LICING MACHINES Henry F. Hertwig, Bel-Wyn, 111., assignor to Swift & Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 87,867 11 Claims. (Cl. 146-95) The present invention relates generally to means for receiving and removing sliced material from a slicing machine, and more specifically relates to an improved adjustable rotary member for receiving slices from a bacon slicing machine and transferring such slices to a take off conveyor.

In slicing operations it has been usual to provide an endless conveyor for receiving slices as they are severed by a slicing apparatus, and conveying them therefrom. In applications for food slicing, such as bacon slicing, it has been usual to provide a pronged rotary member adjacent the discharge end of the slicing machine, such pronged member also acting as a terminal pulley or drum for the endless conveyor. A basic form of this type of apparatus is shown in the Straeten Patent No. 2,239,665, the disclosure of which is included herein by reference.

It has become common practice in the industry to refer to the pronged rotary member as a porcupine roll, obviously due to the fact that it presents a plurality of spines about its periphery. This terminology will be used throughout the following specification.

In the past, the porcupine roll and take ofi." conveyor associated therewith have generally been substantially independent in operation from the slicing apparatus. Consequently, as is illustrated in the Straeten patent, it has been usual that the porcupine roll is journaled in bearings rigidly fixed to a separate frame. Accordingly, each frame has been carefully positioned for the slicing machine apparatus to which it will be associated, and the porcupine roll and take off conveyor have not been adjustable to any extent with regard to the slicing machine once the frame is fixed.

The latter point is a serious disadvantage in that vari able factors such as the weight of individual slices in a given run, or the width of slices obtained from a given item of material, or the speed at which the slices are cut will affect the actual trajectory of slices leaving the machine. This is better understood when it is realized that in practice slicing machines for bacon operate at around 1350 r.p.m. and slices are literally thrown from the slicing blade. It therefore becomes obvious that when any of the above mentioned conditions are changed, the slices will fall or be thrown to the porcupine roll in a different attitude and position. As a result it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to uniformly arrange every run of slices on the take off conveyor as for instance in shingled groups for consumer packages.

Therefore it is a principal object of this invention to provide an improved and adjustable porcupine roll assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved porcupine roll adjustable in several directions with regard to a given slicing machine.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved adjustable porcupine roll whereby the latter may be tilted and moved both substantially horizontally and vertically with respect to a given slicing machine.

Basically my apparatus comprises a porcupine roll rotatably supported through a pair of adjustable means whereby the position of the roll in two major directions, substantially perpendicular to the roll axis, may be varied, which in turn, are supported in a sub frame pivotally attached to a main frame for the take ofi? conveyor, or the like, whereby the attitude of the roll axis may be altered.

One embodiment of my invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be expressly understood that said drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be taken as the definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for this purpose. In said drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, with parts removed, of an adjustable porcupine assembly, looking toward the blade of a slicing machine;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the adjustable porcupine roll assembly of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective view, with parts broken away, of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 taken from one side of the slicing machine and showing an end of the porcupine roll and the adjustable means supporting same.

In the drawings, wherein the same parts are identified by like reference characters throughout, the porcupine roll is shown generally at 10. As may be seen in FIGURE 1, the porcupine roll 10 is disposed adjacent the discharge of a slicing machine blade generally 12 and close to the blade anvil, or shearing edge, 14. In operation the blade 12 rotates continuously to slice, in a given fixed plane, material fed thereto across and at the level of the anvil 14.

The porcupine roll 10 is supported, preferably, from the main frame generally 16 of a take-off conveyor gen erally 18. The usual arrangement, which is illustrated in FIGURE 1, is to utilize the porcupine roll 10 as a terminal pulley for a plurality of endless means 20 (preferably stainless metal chains) which are trained about raceways 24 cut in the porcupine roll surface. The endless chains 29 form what is commonly known as a shingling section of the take off conveyor generally 18, and are usually gear driven from a power supply, not shown. The shingling section of the conveyor 18 normally operates at such a speed with relation to the porcupine roll 10 so as to uniformly receive successive slices with a desired amount of overlap. By lowering the relative speed of the conveyor chains 20the overlap may be increased; and similarly by increasing the speed the overlap may be reduced to the point that every slice is spaced thereon.

The lower runs of the endless chains 20 pass beneath tensioning pulleys, not shown, in conventional practice whereby the effective reach of the chain may be adjustf ably lengthened or shortened as desired. The adjustable feature is conventional with take-off conveyors and is necessary to the full utilization of the adjustable porcupine roll Iii as hereinafter described.

It will also be noticed that at the outer ends and between each of the raceways 24 on porcupine roll 10' there is an annular ridge of spines 26. These spines are formed by cutting a plurality of longitudinal flutes 28 in the porcupine roll leaving relatively sharp spines 26, between adjacent flutes, extending radially beyond the surface of chains 20 in raceways 24. Preferably the entire porcupine roll is milled from a single cylindrical piece of metal, such as pipe stock or the like, and a longitudinal axle 32 is afiixed thereto.

A separate drive means is provided for rotating the porcupine roll independently of the endless chains 20. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the drive means is in the form of a sprocket 34 fixed to one end of the porcu-' pine axle 32 about which a drive chain 36 is trained. In turn the drive chain may be powered by any suitable source, such as a motor, not shown, to rotate in the direction of conveyor movement away from the blade 12. The size of sprocket 34 is selected, however, to'drive the porcupine roll 10 at a linear speed of the spines 26 slight 1y lower than the linear speed of endless chains 20. In this manner individual slices received on the porcupine roll will not tend to be jammed or excessively overlapped on the chains 20.

A scraper plate generally 40, having toothlike projec- Patented Dec. 31, 1963.

tions 42 interdigitating with the raceways 24 of porcupine roll 10, is conveniently located beneath the upper run of endless means 2b to remove any extraneous materlal clinging to the spines 26 after slices of material are delivered therefrom. The scraper plate 46 in turn is fastened to flanges 44 extending generally upwardly from sleeves d6 concentric to the axle 32 at each end of the porcupine roll. As may be clearly seen in the exploded view of FIGURE 2, the sleeves 4-6 are secured in the journals 48 of a pair of connecting rods generally 59 by means of set screws 52. The axle 3 2 of the porcupine roll is freely rotatable in the sleeves 46 and any conventional means for lubricating the bearing surfaces may be conveniently provided.

The opposite ends of connecting rods in turn are fixed, by means of split collars or the like, to an adjustable means whereby the foregoing assembly may be moved substantially in a given direction. The illustrated embodiment incorporates a preferred pivotable member, namely a shaft 56. The shaft 56 in turn has a main cylindrical body 58 which is rotatably received in journal openings so in a pair of arms generally 62. Portions 64 of the shaft 56 outwardly of the main cylindrical body 58 are preferably of a lesser diameter whereon the split collars of the connecting rods 5t) are secured.

At one end of the porcupine roll assembly, shown best in FIGURE 3 (the right side of FIGURES 1 and 2), shaft 56 terminates in a squarely milled stud as which is adapted to receive a hand crank 68 (or a wrench or the like). At the same side of the apparatus the journal opening in arm 62 is in the form of a split journal '70 which may be tightened by a threaded bolt to close upon the main body 58 of shaft 56, to thereby rigidly secure the latter in any desired position, as selected and manipulated by the hand crank 68.

The ends of arms generally 62 opposite shaft 5-6 are in turn rigidly fastened to another adjustable means, whereby the foregoing assembly may be moved in another direction substantially at right angles to the preceding direction. This adjustable means is preferably similar to the former and comprises another, parallel, shaft 74. Shaft "74 is like shaft 56. Each arm 62 is rigidly secured thereto most conveniently by means of split yokes. Also, at the same side of the apparatus, shaft 74 terminates in a squarely milled stud 78 which is also adapted to receive hand crank 68. The necked portions of shaft 74 are rotatably held in a pair of journal blocks 8%. The journal block 86 at the right side of the apparatus contains a split journal 82 whereby, as with shaft 56, the shaft 74 may be rigidly secured in any position selected and manipulated by the hand crank 68.

Each of the journal blocks 80 is in turn firmly secured, as for example by bolts or welding, to a sub frame assembly generally do. Obviously, it would be possible to form journal blocks 84? integrally with the sub frame assembly. The sub frame assembly 86 comprises a steel cross bar 88 mounted, as may be seen in FIGURES 1 and 3, at the end of main frame generally 16, essentially parallel to the plane of operation of blade generally 12. The cross bar 88 is pivotally mounted at one side of the main frame 16 about an axis substmtially parallel to the axis of blade 12. As may be best seen in FIGURE 2, the sub frame assembly 86 may be so mounted by boring a bearing hole 94) in the cross bar 88. In turn the hearing hole $0 is fitted closely about a bearing disc 94 which is firmly secured, by either bolts or welds, between a structural member 96 of the main frame 16 and a depending lock plate 92. Cross bar 83 is thus held between members 96 and plate 92. An additional depending plate 98 is secured to the bottom of cross bar 85% in a position complimentary to the lock plate 92. Accordingly the pivotal adjustment of the sub frame assembly 86 about the bearing disc 94 may be adjusted and secured by means of a bolt 1% passing through an areed slot 1-62, in the lock plate 92, and threaded in the depending plate 93.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 3, a pair of freely rotatable idler sprockets lilo, 198 are shown suspended from the right hand connecting rod 5- These idler sprockets 1%, 1% are mounted in a plane common with porcupine drive sprocket 3 and are provided merely to train the drive chain 36 through a path that will not interfere with the rest of the apparatus, regardless of the position in which roll lit} is secured. Obviously further idler sprockets, not shown, are provided to properly tension the drive chain 36.

Operation of my adjustable porcupine roll will have become obvious from the foregoing description and drawings. Briefly, however, it may readily be seen that the entire assembly, including porcupine roll 10, may be tilted longitudinally with respect to the anvil 14 and in a plane substantially parallel to blade 12 by loosening bolt 1% and pivoting the sub frame assembly 86 about bear"- ing disc 94. When the desired angle of tilt is obtained bolt full is retightened to firmly secure the sub assembly in place.

Substantial vertical adjustments of the porcupine roll may be obtained by loosening the split journal 82 after first placing the hand crank 68 upon the stud '78 of shaft 74. The hand crank may be manipulated to turn shaft 74 to any desired angle to either lift or lower the porcupine roll 10. The actual path of the porcupine roll during this operation describes a slight arc, however the significant adjustment is substantially in a vertical plane. When the desired position is obtained, the split journal 32 is retightened and the hand crank 68 removed.

Final adjustment of the porcupine roll 10' in a substantially horizontal plane is obtained by placing the hand crank upon stud so of shaft 56 and loosening the split journal 7t) in the nearest arm 62. Rotation of the hand crank will pivot shaft 56, and the connecting rods St) fastened thereto, and move the porcupine roll 10 to a slight arc in a substantially horizontal direction. On achieving the desired position the split journal 7% is re secured and the take off conveyor generally 18 is ready for operation.

Obviously for any substantial adjustment of the porcu pine roll 1o it will be necessary to relieve the pressure on the above mentioned tensioning pulleys (not shown) so as to permit accommodation of the endless means '24 Furthermore, the foregoing adjustments, particularly tilting the porcupine roll lb, may tend to shift the lateral position of the porcupine roll, with respect to the slicing machine, to one side. This movement may be compensated by again releasing the split journal 70' and carefully shifting shaft 56 in a longitudinal direction while holding its relative rotative position.

Generally speaking, the foregoing adjustments become necessary when the slicing machine completes a run for producing slices of one thickness and before commencing a subsequent run for producing slices of a different thickness. This is especially noticeable in the production of bacon where the machines are usually operated at about 1300 to 1350 rpm. for all sizes of product. There are, in addition to variations of dimensions between bacon slabs, standard thick and standard thin slices of /8 inch and inch thickness respectively. It has been found that the relative vertical position and angular adjustment of the porcupine roll Ill must be increased for the lighter (or thinner), slices as compared to heavy (thick) slices. Accordingly, once the equipment is set up and the horizontal position adjusted to bring spines 26 within about inch of the slicer blade 12, further horizontal adjustment is necessary only to compensate for the slight are described by the porcupine roll when adjusted vertically.

Additionally, in operation on bacon slicing I have found it advisable to provide for varying the speed of the shingling section of the take off conveyor generally 18, between about 17 to 60 lineal feet per minute. Accordingly, I also provide in the drive means for porcupine roll for lineal surface speed slightly lower than the conveyor speed and between about 13 and 46 lineal feet per minute.

Obviously rnany modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An improved porcupine roll assembly adapted for receiving slices from a slicing machine, said apparatus comprising: a porcupine roll having a longitudinal axis, first adjustable means rotatably supporting said porcupine roll, said first adjustable means being movable to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a given direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; second adjustable means connected to support said first adjustable means, said second adjustable means being movable to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; and a subframe connected to support said second adjustable means, said subframe being adapted to be pivotally mounted whereby the direction of said longitudinal axis may be altered.

2. An improved porcupine roll assembly adapted for receiving slices from a slicing machine, said apparatus comprising: a porcupine roll having a longitudinal axis; journal means rotatably supporting said porcupine roll; first adjustable means connected to said journal means, said first adjustable means being operable to move said journal means so as to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a given direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; second adjustable means connected to support said first adjustable means, said second adjustable means being movable to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; and a subframe connected to support said second adjustable means, said subframe being adapted to be pivotally mounted whereby the direction of said longitudinal axis may be altered.

3. An improved porcupine roll assembly adapted for receiving slices from a slicing machine, said apparatus comprising: a porcupine roll having a longitudinal axis; journal means rotatably supporting said porcupine roll; first adjustable means connected to said journal means, said first adjustable means being operable to move said journal means so as to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a given direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; supporting means connected to said first adjustable means; second adjustable means connected to said supporting means, said second adjustable means being operable to move said supporting means so as to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; and a subframe connected to support said second adjustable means, said subframe being adapted to be pivotally mounted whereby the direction of said longitudinal axis may be altered.

4. An improved porcupine roll assembly adapted for receiving slices from a slicing machine, said apparatus comprising: a porcupine roll having a longitudinal axis; a pair of connecting rods rotatably supporting said porcupine roll; first adjustable means connected to said connecting rods, said first adjustable means being operable to move said connecting rods so as to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a given direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; second adjustable means connected to support said first adjustable means, said second adjustable means being movable to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; and a subframe connected to support said second adjustable means, said subframe being adapted to be pivotally mounted whereby the direction of said longitudinal axis may be altered.

5. An improved porcupine roll assembly adapted for receiving slices from a slicing machine, said apparatus comprising: a porcupine roll having a longitudinal axis; a pair of connecting rods rotatably supporting said porcupine roll; first adjustable means connected to said connecting rods, said first adjustable means being operable to move said connecting rods so as to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a given direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; a pair of arms supporting said first adjustable means; second adjustable means connected to said arms, said second adjustable means being operable to move said arms so as to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; and a subframe connected to support said second adjustable means, said subframe being adapted to be pivotally mounted whereby the direction of said longitudinal axis may be altered.

6. An improved porcupine roll assembly adapted for receiving slices from a slicing machine, said apparatus comprising: a porcupine roll having a longitudinal axis; journal means rotatably supporting said porcupine roll; a shaft connected to said journal means, said shaft being rotatable to move said journal means so as to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a given direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; adjustable means connected to support and secure said shaft in a selected rotatiye position, said adjustable means being movable to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; and a subframe connected to support said adjustable means, said subframe being adapted to be pivotally mounted whereby the direction of said longitudinal axis may be altered.

7. An improved porcupine roll assembly adapted for receiving slices from a slicing machine, said apparatus comprising: a porcupine roll having a longitudinal axis; a pair of connecting rods rotatably supporting said porcupine roll; a shaft connected to said connecting rods, said shaft being rotatable to move said connecting rods so as to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a given direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; adjustable means including a split journal connected to rotatably support and secure said shaft in a selected rotative position, said adjustable means being movable to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; and a subframe connected to support said adjustable means, said subframe being adapted to be pivotally mounted whereby the direction of said longitudinal axis may be altered.

8. An improved porcupine roll assembly adapted for receiving slices from a slicing machine, said apparatus comprising: a porcupine roll having a longitudinal axis; an adjustable means rotatably supporting said porcupine roll, said adjustable means being operable to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a given direction sub stantially perpendicular to said axis; a shaft connected to support said adjustable means, said shaft being rotatable to move said adjustable means so as to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; and a subframe including a split journal connected to rotatably support and secure said shaft in a selected rotative position, said subframe being adapted to be pivotally mounted whereby the direction of said longitudinal axis may be altered.

9. An improved porcupine roll assembly adapted for receiving slices from a slicing machine, said apparatus comprising: a porcupine roll having a longitudinal axis; a pair of connecting rods rotatably supporting said porcupine roll; a first shaft connected to said connecting rods, said first shaft being rotatable to move said connecting rods so as to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a given direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; a pair of arms connected to rotatably support said first shaft, one of said arms including a split journal whereby to secure said first shaft in a selected position; a second shaft secured to said arms, said second shaft being rotatable to move said arms so as to alter the position of said porcupine roll in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said axis; and a subfranie including a split journal connected to rotatabiy support and secure said second shaft in a selected rotative position, said subframe being adapted to be pivotally mounted whereby the direction of said longitudinal axis may be altered.

10. An improved porcupine roll assembly for receiving slices from a slicing machine, said apparatus comprising: a main frame spaced from the discharge end of said slicing machine; a sub frame pivotally supported on said main frame, the axis of pivot being substantially in line with said slicing machine; means to lock said sub frame in a selectable position With respect to said main frame; a first shaft journaled in said sub frame and positioned substantially perpendicular to said axis of pivot; a split journal embracing said shaft and fixed to said sub frame, said split journal being operable to secure said first shaft in any selected rotative position; a pair of arms secured in parallel relation to opposite ends of said first shaft; a second shaft rotatably secured in the ends of said arms parallel to said first shaft, at least one of said armshaving a split journal embracing said second shaft ope able to secure said second shaft in any selected rotative position; a pair of connecting rods secured to opposite ends of said second shaft in parallel relation; and a porcupine roll rotatably journaled in the end of said connecting rods substantially parallel to said shafts, whereby selected rotation of one of said shafts Will move said roll in a direction substantially parallel to said axis of pivot and selected rotation of the other shaft Will move said roll in a direction substantially perpendicular to said preceding direction.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein drive means is provided to independently rotate said porcupine roll.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,156,385 Willson Oct. 12, 1915 2,239,665 Straeten Apr. 22, 1941 2,678,670 Bruesewitz et al May 18, 1954 

1. AN IMPROVED PORCUPINE ROLL ASSEMBLY ADAPTED FOR RECEIVING SLICES FROM A SLICING MACHINE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: A PORCUPINE ROLL HAVING A LONGITUDINAL AXIS, FIRST ADJUSTABLE MEANS ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID PORCUPINE ROLL, SAID FIRST ADJUSTABLE MEANS BEING MOVABLE TO ALTER THE POSITION OF SAID PORCUPINE ROLL IN A GIVEN DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID AXIS; SECOND ADJUSTABLE MEANS CONNECTED TO SUPPORT SAID FIRST ADJUSTABLE MEANS, SAID SECOND ADJUSTABLE MEANS BEING MOVABLE TO ALTER THE POSITION OF SAID PORCUPINE ROLL IN A SECOND DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID AXIS; AND A SUBFRAME CONNECTED TO SUPPORT SAID SECOND ADJUSTABLE MEANS, SAID SUBFRAME BEING ADAPTED TO BE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED WHEREBY THE DIRECTION OF SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS MAY BE ALTERED. 